New York Rep. Anthony Weiner has decided toresign his seat in Congress after a two-week scandal spawned bylewd and even X-rated photos the New York

WASHINGTON (AP) - New York Rep. Anthony Weiner has decided toresign his seat in Congress after a two-week scandal spawned bylewd and even X-rated photos the New York lawmaker took of himselfand sent online to numerous women, relieved Democratic officialssaid Thursday.

A formal announcement was expected later in the day.

Weiner, 46, has been at a treatment facility at an undisclosedlocation since last weekend, and has not been seen in public sincetelling reporters last Saturday he intended to return to work.

One official said Weiner telephoned House Democratic LeaderNancy Pelosi and Rep. Steve Israel of New York, the head of theparty campaign committee, on Wednesday evening to tell them of hisplans to quit. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity,citing the private nature of the conversations.

Weiner's decision to give up his House seat marks the end of ascandal without the sex - an event that resulted from the brash NewYorker's use of social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

He at first denied having sent any inappropriate photos, thenrecanted in a remarkable news conference 10 days ago at which headmitted having exchanged inappropriate messages with severalwomen.

His confession triggered a tabloid-style frenzy in print andonline that only grew more pronounced a few days later when anX-rated photo of the 46-year-old lawmaker surfaced on a website.

After initially calling for a House ethics committeeinvestigation, Pelosi dramatically ramped up the pressure onSaturday when she joined with Israel and Rep. Debbie WassermanSchultz of Florida, leader of the Democratic National Committee, incalling on Weiner to step down.

Within hours, Weiner disclosed his plans to enter treatment, andPelosi's aides made it known that did not negate her demand for aresignation.

Several officials have said in recent days that Weiner wasreluctant to make any decision about his career without speakingwith his wife, Huma Abedin, a top aide to Secretary of StateHillary Clinton who had been overseas since shortly after thescandal broke.